Systems and methods for updating a software product

ABSTRACT

A method may include receiving a request to install a second version of a software product over a first version of the software product, installing the second version of the software product in a dormant state while the first version of the software product is running, and swapping the first and second versions of the software product by activating the second version of the software product and deactivating the first version of the software product. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/538,622, filed Aug. 10, 2009, the disclosure of which isincorporated, in its entirety, by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Enterprises and individuals periodically upgrade or replace securitysoftware products that protect their computing systems. Variousconventional technologies may be used to upgrade and replace securitysoftware products. Unfortunately, conventional technologies forupgrading and replacing security software products, such as MICROSOFTINSTALLER (“MSI”) and MICROSOFT PATCH (“MSP”) technologies, may leave acomputer system vulnerable during a time period when no security productis running.

MSI replacements of security products often involve uninstalling anexisting security product, rebooting a computing system on which thesecurity product was installed, and installing a new security product.The computing system may be unprotected from the time the old securityproduct was uninstalled until the time the new security product isinstalled and activated.

MSP upgrades of security products may transform a first version of asecurity product to a second version of a security product. During theupgrade, running processes of the security product may be stopped,updated, and then restarted. Thus, the system protected by the securityproduct may be vulnerable while the security product is being updated.What is needed, therefore, is a more effective way to replace and/orupdate software products.

SUMMARY

As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosuregenerally relates to systems and methods for updating a softwareproduct. As used herein, the phrase “updating a software product”generally refers to upgrading and/or replacing an existing softwareproduct. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a requestto install a second version of a software product over a first versionof the software product, installing the second version of the softwareproduct in a dormant state while the first version of the softwareproduct is running, and swapping the first and second versions of thesoftware product by activating the second version of the softwareproduct and deactivating the first version of the software product. Thesoftware product may include a security software product. For example,the first version of the software product may include a first version ofan antivirus application and the second version of the software productmay include a second version of the antivirus application.

In certain embodiments, the method may include rebooting a computingsystem on which the first and second versions of the software productare installed. The rebooting may be performed after installing thesecond version of the software product and before activating the secondversion of the software product. According to various embodiments, thesecond version of the software product may be activated during therebooting process before a network adapter of the computing system isenabled. The method may include disabling the network adapter until thesecond version of the software product is enabled.

According to various embodiments, installing the second version of thesoftware product may include installing one or more files of the secondversion of the software product and installing one or more components ofthe second version of the software product needed during a boot process.In some embodiments, installing the second version of the softwareproduct may include partially installing the second version of thesoftware product by installing one or more components of the secondversion of the software product that do not affect execution of thefirst version of the software product and refraining from installing oneor more components of the second version of the software product thatwould affect execution of the first version of the software product ifinstalled.

In one or more embodiments, deactivating the second version of thesoftware product may include modifying a state of one or more componentsof the first version of the software product such that the one or morecomponents will not restart after a reboot. According to variousembodiments, installing the second version of the software product mayinclude saving one or more settings of the first version of the softwareproduct and swapping the first and second versions of the softwareproduct may include importing the one or more settings of the firstversion of the software product into the second version of the softwareproduct.

According to certain embodiments, installing the second version of thesoftware product may include identifying a set of differences betweenthe first version of the software product and the second version of thesoftware product and swapping the first and second versions of thesoftware product may include using the set of differences to update oneor more components of the first version of the software product for usewith the second version of the software product. In various embodiments,swapping the first and second versions of the software product mayinclude uninstalling the first version of the software product after thefirst version of the software product is deactivated and the secondversion of the software product is activated. In at least oneembodiment, the method may be tangibly embodied as computer-executableinstructions on at least one computer-readable-storage medium.

In certain embodiments, a method may include receiving a request toinstall a second version of the security software product over a firstversion of the security software product. The method may also includeinstalling the second version of the security software product in adormant state while the first version of the security software productis running by installing one or more components of the second version ofthe security software product that do not affect execution of the firstversion of the security software product and refraining from installingone or more components of the second version of the security softwareproduct that would affect execution of the first version of the securitysoftware product if installed.

The method may further include rebooting a computing system on which thefirst and second versions of the security software product are installedand swapping the first and second versions of the security softwareproduct by activating the second version of the security softwareproduct and deactivating the first version of the security softwareproduct. According to some embodiments, the method may includeinstalling one or more files of the second version of the securitysoftware product and installing one or more components of the secondversion of the security software product needed during a boot process.The method may additionally or alternatively include modifying a stateof one or more components of the first version of the software productsuch that the one or more components will not restart after rebootingthe computing system.

In certain embodiments, a system may include at least one processor, aninterface module programmed to direct to the processor to receive arequest to install a second version of a software product over a firstversion of the software product, an installation module programmed todirect the processor to install the second version of the softwareproduct in a dormant state while the first version of the softwareproduct is running, and a swapping module programmed to direct theprocessor to swap the first and second versions of the software productby activating the second version of the software product anddeactivating the first version of the software product.

In some embodiments, the first version of the software product mayinclude a first version of an antivirus application and the secondversion of the software product may include a second version of theantivirus application. According to various embodiments, the swappingmodule may be programmed to direct the processor to deactivate thesecond version of the software product by modifying a state of one ormore components of the first version of the software product such thatthe one or more components will not restart after a reboot. In at leastone embodiment, the installation module may be programmed to direct theprocessor to install the second version of the software product byinstalling one or more files of the second version of the softwareproduct and/or installing one or more components of the second versionof the software product needed during a boot process.

Features from any of the above-mentioned embodiments may be used incombination with one another in accordance with the general principlesdescribed herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantageswill be more fully understood upon reading the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodimentsand are a part of the specification. Together with the followingdescription, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principlesof the instant disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for updating a softwareproduct.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another exemplary system for updating asoftware product.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for updating a softwareproduct.

FIG. 4 is another flow diagram of another exemplary method for updatinga software product.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system capable ofimplementing one or more of the embodiments described and/or illustratedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing network capable ofimplementing one or more of the embodiments described and/or illustratedherein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and descriptionsindicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. While theexemplary embodiments described herein are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, theinstant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosuregenerally relates to systems and methods for updating a softwareproduct. Embodiments of the instant disclosure may over-install a newproduct without uninstalling an existing product during the installationprocess. For example, a computing system may install a second version ofa software product in a dormant state while a first version of thesoftware product is running and may swap the first and second versionsof the software product by activating the second version of the softwareproduct and deactivating the first version of the software product.

Embodiments of the instant disclosure generally apply to situationswhere a software product is being installed over another softwareproduct (i.e., situations where only one version of a product can run ata time). In such situations, conventional installation tools typicallyuninstall the existing software product before installing the newsoftware product, which may result in a period of time when neithersoftware product is running. For security software products, such asantivirus and data protection products, a computing system protected byan existing product may be vulnerable while the existing product isuninstalled and a new product is installed. Embodiments of the instantdisclosure may eliminate and/or minimize down time of a software productby installing a new version of the software product while an existingversion of the software product is still running. Embodiments of theinstant disclosure also provide various other features and advantages.

The following will provide, with reference to FIGS. 1-2, detaileddescriptions of exemplary systems for updating a software product.Detailed descriptions of corresponding computer-implemented methods willalso be provided in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, detaileddescriptions of an exemplary computing system and network architecturecapable of implementing one or more of the embodiments described hereinwill be provided in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system 100 for updating asoftware product. As illustrated in this figure, exemplary system 100may include one or more modules 102 for performing one or more tasks.For example, and as will be explained in greater detail below, exemplarysystem 100 may include an interface module 104 programmed to receive arequest to install a second version of a software product over a firstversion of the software product. Exemplary system 100 may also includean installation module 106 programmed to install the second version ofthe software product in a dormant state while the first version of thesoftware product is running.

In addition, and as will be described in greater detail below, exemplarysystem 100 may include a swapping module 108 programmed to swap thefirst and second versions of the software product by deactivating thefirst version of the software product and activating the second versionof the software product. Although illustrated as separate elements, oneor more of modules 102 in FIG. 1 may represent portions of a singlemodule or application.

In certain embodiments, one or more of modules 102 in FIG. 1 mayrepresent one or more software applications or programs that, whenexecuted by a computing device, may cause the computing device toperform one or more tasks. For example, as will be described in greaterdetail below, one or more of modules 102 may represent software modulesstored and configured to run on one or more computing devices, such asthe devices illustrated in FIG. 2 (e.g., computing device 202 and/orserver 206), computing system 510 in FIG. 5, and/or portions ofexemplary network architecture 600 in FIG. 6. One or more of modules 102in FIG. 1 may also represent all or portions of one or morespecial-purpose computers configured to perform one or more tasks.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, exemplary system 100 may also include one ormore databases 120. Databases 120 may represent portions of a singledatabase or computing device or a plurality of databases or computingdevices. In one embodiment, exemplary system 100 may include adifferences database 122 for storing differences between a first versionof a software product and a second version of the software product.Exemplary system 100 may also include a settings database 124 forstoring one or more settings to be migrated from a first version of asoftware product to a second version of the software product.

Databases 120 in FIG. 1 may represent a portion of one or more computingdevices. For example, databases 120 may represent a portion of server206 in FIG. 2, computing system 510 in FIG. 5, and/or portions ofexemplary network architecture 600 in FIG. 6. Alternatively, databases120 in FIG. 1 may represent one or more physically separate devicescapable of being accessed by a computing device, such as server 206 inFIG. 2 computing system 510 in FIG. 5 and/or portions of exemplarynetwork architecture 600 in FIG. 6.

Exemplary system 100 in FIG. 1 may be deployed in a variety of ways. Forexample, all or a portion of exemplary system 100 may represent portionsof a cloud-computing or network-based environment, such as exemplarysystem 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. Cloud-computing environments mayprovide various services and applications via the Internet. Thesecloud-based services (e.g., software as a service, platform as aservice, infrastructure as a service, etc.) may be accessible through aweb browser or other remote interface. Various functions describedherein may be provided through a remote desktop environment or any othercloud-based computing environment.

As shown in FIG. 2, system 200 may include a computing device 202 incommunication with a server 206 via a network 204. In one embodiment,computing device 202 may include one or more of modules 102 and/or oneor more of databases 120. Computing device 202 may also include a firstversion of a software product 220 and a second version of the softwareproduct 222. Computing device 202 may execute one or more of modules 102and may use one or more of databases 120 in a process for writing secondversion of the software product 222 over first version of the softwareproduct 220. In some embodiments, computing device 202 may receivesecond version of software product 222 from server 206 as part of anenterprise software deployment. Alternatively, second version of thesoftware product 222 may be written over first version of the softwareproduct 220 as part of an installation initiated directly on computingdevice 202. For example, second version of the software product 222 maybe provided by any suitable delivery mechanism, including a CD, a DVD, aBLUERAY disk, a USB device, the Internet, and/or a local network.

Computing device 202 generally represents any type or form of computingdevice capable of reading computer-executable instructions. Examples ofcomputing device 202 include, without limitation, laptops, desktops,servers, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), multimediaplayers, embedded systems, combinations of one or more of the same,exemplary computing system 510 in FIG. 5, or any other suitablecomputing device.

Server 206 generally represents any type or form of computing devicethat is capable of deploying a software product. Examples of server 206include, without limitation, application servers and database serversconfigured to provide various database services and/or run certainsoftware applications.

Network 204 generally represents any medium or architecture capable offacilitating communication or data transfer. Examples of network 204include, without limitation, an intranet, a wide area network (WAN), alocal area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), the Internet,power line communications (PLC), a cellular network (e.g., a GSMNetwork), exemplary network architecture 600 in FIG. 6, or the like.Network 204 may facilitate communication or data transfer using wirelessor wired connections. In one embodiment, network 204 may facilitatecommunication between computing device 202 and server 206.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary computer-implemented method 300for updating a software product. The steps shown in FIG. 3 may beperformed by any suitable computer-executable code and/or computingsystem. In some embodiments, the steps shown in FIG. 3 may be performedby one or more of the components of system 100 in FIG. 1 and/or system200 in FIG. 2. For example, at step 302 interface module 104 may, aspart of computing device 210, receive a request to install a secondversion of a software product over a first version of the softwareproduct. In some embodiments, the request may be received from a remoteapplication. For example, a server deploying the second version of thesoftware product may request installation of the software product. Therequest may also be a request from an installation package that containsthe second version of the software product. Additionally oralternatively, the request may be received from an InformationTechnology (“IT”) administrator or other user.

As used herein, the phrase “software product” refers to any softwareapplication, executable file, installation package, or othercomputer-executable code programmed to be installed and executed on acomputing system. Software products include, without limitation, wordprocessors, spreadsheets, productivity software, security software(antivirus programs, firewalls, parental-control software,data-loss-prevention software, etc.,), and various other types ofsoftware programs. The phrases “first version of a software product” and“second version of a software product” may refer to older and newerversions, respectively, of the same software program from the samecompany. For example, the first version of a software product may be a2008 version of an anti-virus program and the second version of thesoftware product may be a 2009 version of the same program.

Alternatively, the first and second versions of a software product maybe different programs that perform similar functionality. For example,the first version of a software program may be a firewall applicationdeveloped by a first software company and the second version of thesoftware program may be a firewall application developed by a secondsoftware company. In other embodiments, the first and second versions ofa software program may be different, but related, programs from the samecompany. For example, the first version of the software product may be abasic computer security program with basic functionality (e.g., anantivirus program) and the second version of the software product may bean advanced computer security program with more advanced functionality(e.g., an internet security suite of programs).

As used herein, the phrase “install a second version of a softwareproduct over a first version of the software product” generally refersto over-installing one version of a software product over anotherversion of the software product. An over-install generally refers to aninstallation process for installing one version of a softwareapplication and removing a previous version of the software application.In contrast, other installation processes may not involve replacing oneversion of a product with another version of the product. Suchinstallation processes include installing a patch to an existingsoftware product and installing two versions of a software productside-by-side. Over-install does not refer to these patch installationsand side-by-side installations.

Over-installation processes may be used in situations where only asingle instance of a software product may run at a time. For example,many computing systems may only allow one firewall software program torun at a time. Other single-instance install situations includesituations where installation of two similar software products mayresult in conflicts and/or other issues that may result in systeminstability.

Returning to FIG. 3, at step 304 installation module 106 may, as part ofcomputing device 210, install the second version of the software productin a dormant state while the first version of the software product isrunning. Installation module 106 may install the second version in avariety of manners, as described in greater detail below. As usedherein, the phrase “dormant state” refers to a software product that isat least partially installed but is not executing. Installation module106 may install the second version of the software product in a dormantstate by installing the second version of the software product in amanner that does not interfere with the first version of the softwareproduct as the first version of the software product is running.

In some embodiments, installation module 106 may install the secondversion of the software product by installing one or more files of thesecond version of the software product. For example, installation module106 may install one or more executable files and/or other code of thesecond version of the software product. Installation module 106 may alsoinstall one or more other components of the second version of thesoftware product. For example, installation module 106 may install oneor more services, drivers, registry keys, and/or other components of thesecond version of the software product.

Installation module 106 may partially install the second version of thesoftware product by only installing files and other components of thesecond version of the software product that do not affect execution ofthe first version of the software product and by refraining frominstalling one or more components of the second version of the softwareproduct that may affect execution of the first version of the softwareproduct if installed. Installation module 106 may identify components ofthe second version of the software product that do not affect executionof the first version of the software product in a variety of ways. Insome embodiments, installation module 106 may identify such componentsby reading a list or other database that identifies components that aresafe to install while the first version of the software product isrunning.

In other embodiments, installation module 106 may automatically identifyone or more components of the second version of the software productthat are safe to install by determining whether the first version of thesoftware product is utilizing components that correspond to the newcomponents. For example, installation module 106 may refrain fromoverwriting a driver that is currently being used by the first versionof the software product.

According to certain embodiments, installation module 106 may identify aset of differences between the first and second versions of the softwareproduct. The set of differences may be a list, a differential file, aninstruction set, and/or any other set of information that identifies oneor more differences between the first and second versions of thesoftware product. The set of differences may identify one or moreregistry keys, one or more services, one or more shortcuts, and/or oneor more actions that need to be performed at a later point in time(e.g., after a reboot) to swap the first and second versions of thesoftware product. The set of differences may additionally oralternatively identify one or more registry keys, one or more services,one or more shortcuts, and/or one or more actions that may be performedwhile the first version of the software product is running (i.e.,actions that will not affect execution of the first version of thesoftware product, as previously discussed).

Installation module 106 may save one or more settings of the firstversion of the software product. For example installation module 106 mayread one or more settings of the first version of the software productand save the settings in a database, such as settings database 124.Swapping module 108 may then read the settings from the database andimport the settings into the second version of the software product.Thus, one or more settings of the first version of the software product,such as user-defined settings and/or other settings, may be preserved inthe second version of the software product.

After the install is complete (or before or during the install),installation module 106 may register a service that will swap the firstand second versions of the software product. The registered service,which may include swapping module 108, may be an executive mode process(i.e., a chkdsk process), a kernel driver, a system service, and/or anyother suitable service.

At step 306, swapping module 108 may, as part of computing device 210,swap the first and second versions of the software product. Swappingmodule 108 may swap the first and second versions of the softwareproduct in a variety of manners. For example, swapping module 108 mayswap the first and second versions of the software product by activatingthe second version of the software product and deactivating the firstversion of the software product. As used herein, the phrase “activatingthe second version of the software product” generally refers to anyprocedure that causes one or more processes of the second version of thesoftware product to run and/or prepares one or more processes of thesecond version of the software product to run. Conversely, the phrase“deactivating the first version of the software product” generallyrefers to any procedure that causes one or more processes of firstversion of the software product to stop executing, prepares the firstversion of the software product to terminate execution, and/or modifiesthe first version of the software product such that the first version ofthe software product will not restart after being terminated.

In some embodiments, swapping module 108 may, while the first version ofthe software product is running, modify a state of one or morecomponents of the first version of the software product such that theone or more components will not restart after a reboot. For example,swapping module 108 may change the state of one or more services and/ordrivers in the first version of the software product such that they donot run after a system reboot.

Swapping module 108 may use a previously identified set of differencesbetween the first and second versions of the software product to updateone or more components of the first version of the software product foruse with the second version of the software product. For example,swapping module 108 may update one or more registry keys of the secondversion of the software product (e.g., by adding new keys, deleting oldkeys and/or modifying existing keys). Additionally or alternatively,swapping module 108 may update (e.g., add, delete, and/or modify) someor all services and/or drivers of the second version of the softwareproduct. Swapping module 108 may also update one or more shortcuts,including symbolic links, of the second version of the software product.Swapping module 108 may further run one or more custom actions, such ascustom executables that may modify the computing system outside of theinstall process.

According to certain embodiments, swapping module 108 may uninstalland/or otherwise cleanup the first version of the software product afterthe first version of the software product is deactivated and the secondversion of the software product is activated. For example, swappingmodule 108 may remove any files and other data associated with the firstversion of the software product.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of another exemplary computer-implementedmethod for updating a security software product, such as an antivirusapplication, a firewall application, a data-loss-prevention application,and/or any other application for protecting a computing system and/ordata stored on a computing system. The steps shown in FIG. 4 may beperformed by any suitable computer-executable code and/or computingsystem. In some embodiments, the steps shown in FIG. 4 may be performedby one or more of the components of system 100 in FIG. 1 and/or system200 in FIG. 2. For example, at step 402 interface module 104 may, aspart of computing device 210, receiving a request to install a secondversion of a security software product over a first version of thesecurity software product. At step 404, installation module 106 mayinstall one or more components of the second version of the securitysoftware product that do not affect execution of the first version ofthe security software product. Steps 402 and 404 are similar to steps302 and 304 and may be performed in one or more of the manners describedin FIG. 3.

At step 406, installation module 106 may modify a state of one or morecomponents of the first version of the software product such that theone or more components will not restart after reboot. For example,installation module 106 may modify one or more services and/or driversof the first version of the software product such that they do not runafter a system reboot. Such a process may be particularly useful forservices and/or drivers that cannot be unloaded and/or stopped.Alternatively, services and drivers may not need to be modified before areboot if an executive mode process is used to update services and/ordrivers before they are allowed to start after reboot.

At step 408, installation module 106 may cause a computing systemprotected by the first version of the software product to reboot. Insome embodiments, the rebooting may be performed after installing thesecond version of the software product and before activating the secondversion of the software product. In some embodiments, to protect thecomputing system from security threats, the second version of thesoftware product may be activated during the rebooting process beforeone or more network adapters of the computing system are enabled. Forexample, swapping module 108 may cause the second version of thesoftware product to be activated early in a boot process (i.e., beforenetwork adapters are activated). Alternatively, swapping module 108 maydisable one or more network adapters of the computing system until thesecond version of the software product is enabled. Swapping module 108may also perform any other suitable action to protect the computingsystem while the first and second versions of the software product arebeing swapped.

In some embodiments, the first version of the software product may notbe disabled immediately after a reboot. For example, security driversfrom the first version of the software product may run after a firstreboot (e.g., such as antivirus and/or firewall drivers). During thefirst reboot, an executive mode application may run, which may updateone or more components of the first version of the software product tothe second version of the software product. For example, the executivemode application may be re-pointed without affecting their currentinstance. The operating system of the computing system may not be fullyfunctional (i.e., fully loaded after the first reboot). The softwareproduct may not be fully loaded after the reboot either. After thecomponents of the first version of the software product are updated, thefirst version of the software product may be set to be disabled and thesecond version of the software product may be enable a set to run aftera second reboot. The executive mode application may force a secondreboot at this point. In such situations, the first version of thesoftware product may continue to run until after the second reboot.

At step 410, swapping module 108 may swap the first and second versionsof the security software product. Step 410 is comparable to step 306 inFIG. 3. Thus, one or more of the processes disclosed in the discussionof step 306 may also be used to perform step 410.

Embodiments of the instant disclosure may enable installation of a newversion of a security product over an existing version of the securityproduct in a manner that does not expose a computing system tovulnerabilities. For example, installation processes described hereinmay be performed such that there is no down time between deactivating afirst security software application and activating a second securitysoftware application.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system 510 capableof implementing one or more of the embodiments described and/orillustrated herein. Computing system 510 broadly represents any singleor multi-processor computing device or system capable of executingcomputer-readable instructions. Examples of computing system 510include, without limitation, workstations, laptops, client-sideterminals, servers, distributed computing systems, handheld devices, orany other computing system or device. In its most basic configuration,computing system 510 may include at least one processor 514 and a systemmemory 516.

Processor 514 generally represents any type or form of processing unitcapable of processing data or interpreting and executing instructions.In certain embodiments, processor 514 may receive instructions from asoftware application or module. These instructions may cause processor514 to perform the functions of one or more of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed and/or illustrated herein. For example, processor 514 mayperform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combinationwith other elements, one or more of the receiving, installing, swapping,rebooting, disabling, refraining, modifying, and/or uninstalling stepsdescribed herein. Processor 514 may also perform and/or be a means forperforming any other steps, methods, or processes described and/orillustrated herein.

System memory 516 generally represents any type or form of volatile ornon-volatile storage device or medium capable of storing data and/orother computer-readable instructions. Examples of system memory 516include, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), flash memory, or any other suitable memory device.Although not required, in certain embodiments computing system 510 mayinclude both a volatile memory unit (such as, for example, system memory516) and a non-volatile storage device (such as, for example, primarystorage device 532, as described in detail below). In one example, oneor more of modules 102 from FIG. 1 may be loaded into system memory 516.

In certain embodiments, exemplary computing system 510 may also includeone or more components or elements in addition to processor 514 andsystem memory 516. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, computingsystem 510 may include a memory controller 518, an Input/Output (I/O)controller 520, and a communication interface 522, each of which may beinterconnected via a communication infrastructure 512. Communicationinfrastructure 512 generally represents any type or form ofinfrastructure capable of facilitating communication between one or morecomponents of a computing device. Examples of communicationinfrastructure 512 include, without limitation, a communication bus(such as an ISA, PCI, PCIe, or similar bus) and a network.

Memory controller 518 generally represents any type or form of devicecapable of handling memory or data or controlling communication betweenone or more components of computing system 510. For example, in certainembodiments memory controller 518 may control communication betweenprocessor 514, system memory 516, and I/O controller 520 viacommunication infrastructure 512. In certain embodiments, memorycontroller may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone orin combination with other elements, one or more of the steps or featuresdescribed and/or illustrated herein, such as receiving, installing,swapping, rebooting, disabling, refraining, modifying, and/oruninstalling.

I/O controller 520 generally represents any type or form of modulecapable of coordinating and/or controlling the input and outputfunctions of a computing device. For example, in certain embodiments I/Ocontroller 520 may control or facilitate transfer of data between one ormore elements of computing system 510, such as processor 514, systemmemory 516, communication interface 522, display adapter 526, inputinterface 530, and storage interface 534. I/O controller 520 may beused, for example, to perform and/or be a means for performing, eitheralone or in combination with other elements, one or more of thereceiving, installing, swapping, rebooting, disabling, refraining,modifying, and/or uninstalling steps described herein. I/O controller520 may also be used to perform and/or be a means for performing othersteps and features set forth in the instant disclosure.

Communication interface 522 broadly represents any type or form ofcommunication device or adapter capable of facilitating communicationbetween exemplary computing system 510 and one or more additionaldevices. For example, in certain embodiments communication interface 522may facilitate communication between computing system 510 and a privateor public network including additional computing systems. Examples ofcommunication interface 522 include, without limitation, a wired networkinterface (such as a network interface card), a wireless networkinterface (such as a wireless network interface card), a modem, and anyother suitable interface. In at least one embodiment, communicationinterface 522 may provide a direct connection to a remote server via adirect link to a network, such as the Internet. Communication interface522 may also indirectly provide such a connection through, for example,a local area network (such as an Ethernet network), a personal areanetwork, a telephone or cable network, a cellular telephone connection,a satellite data connection, or any other suitable connection.

In certain embodiments, communication interface 522 may also represent ahost adapter configured to facilitate communication between computingsystem 510 and one or more additional network or storage devices via anexternal bus or communications channel. Examples of host adaptersinclude, without limitation, SCSI host adapters, USB host adapters, IEEE1394 host adapters, SATA and eSATA host adapters, ATA and PATA hostadapters, Fibre Channel interface adapters, Ethernet adapters, or thelike. Communication interface 522 may also allow computing system 510 toengage in distributed or remote computing. For example, communicationinterface 522 may receive instructions from a remote device or sendinstructions to a remote device for execution. In certain embodiments,communication interface 522 may perform and/or be a means forperforming, either alone or in combination with other elements, one ormore of the receiving, installing, swapping, rebooting, disabling,refraining, modifying, and/or uninstalling steps disclosed herein.Communication interface 522 may also be used to perform and/or be ameans for performing other steps and features set forth in the instantdisclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, computing system 510 may also include at leastone display device 524 coupled to communication infrastructure 512 via adisplay adapter 526. Display device 524 generally represents any type orform of device capable of visually displaying information forwarded bydisplay adapter 526. Similarly, display adapter 526 generally representsany type or form of device configured to forward graphics, text, andother data from communication infrastructure 512 (or from a framebuffer, as known in the art) for display on display device 524.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, exemplary computing system 510 may alsoinclude at least one input device 528 coupled to communicationinfrastructure 512 via an input interface 530. Input device 528generally represents any type or form of input device capable ofproviding input, either computer or human generated, to exemplarycomputing system 510. Examples of input device 528 include, withoutlimitation, a keyboard, a pointing device, a speech recognition device,or any other input device. In at least one embodiment, input device 528may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or incombination with other elements, one or more of the receiving,installing, swapping, rebooting, disabling, refraining, modifying,and/or uninstalling steps disclosed herein. Input device 528 may also beused to perform and/or be a means for performing other steps andfeatures set forth in the instant disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, exemplary computing system 510 may alsoinclude a primary storage device 532 and a backup storage device 533coupled to communication infrastructure 512 via a storage interface 534.Storage devices 532 and 533 generally represent any type or form ofstorage device or medium capable of storing data and/or othercomputer-readable instructions. For example, storage devices 532 and 533may be a magnetic disk drive (e.g., a so-called hard drive), a floppydisk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash drive,or the like. Storage interface 534 generally represents any type or formof interface or device for transferring data between storage devices 532and 533 and other components of computing system 510. In one example,databases 120 from FIG. 1 may be stored in primary storage device 532.

In certain embodiments, storage devices 532 and 533 may be configured toread from and/or write to a removable storage unit configured to storecomputer software, data, or other computer-readable information.Examples of suitable removable storage units include, withoutlimitation, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a flashmemory device, or the like. Storage devices 532 and 533 may also includeother similar structures or devices for allowing computer software,data, or other computer-readable instructions to be loaded intocomputing system 510. For example, storage devices 532 and 533 may beconfigured to read and write software, data, or other computer-readableinformation. Storage devices 532 and 533 may also be a part of computingsystem 510 or may be a separate device accessed through other interfacesystems.

In certain embodiments, storage devices 532 and 533 may be used, forexample, to perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or incombination with other elements, one or more of the receiving,installing, swapping, rebooting, disabling, refraining, modifying,and/or uninstalling steps disclosed herein. Storage devices 532 and 533may also be used to perform and/or be a means for performing other stepsand features set forth in the instant disclosure.

Many other devices or subsystems may be connected to computing system510. Conversely, all of the components and devices illustrated in FIG. 5need not be present to practice the embodiments described and/orillustrated herein. The devices and subsystems referenced above may alsobe interconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 5. Computingsystem 510 may also employ any number of software, firmware, and/orhardware configurations. For example, one or more of the exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein may be encoded as a computer program (alsoreferred to as computer software, software applications,computer-readable instructions, or computer control logic) on acomputer-readable medium. The phrase “computer-readable medium”generally refers to any form of device, carrier, or medium capable ofstoring or carrying computer-readable instructions. Examples ofcomputer-readable media include, without limitation, transmission-typemedia, such as carrier waves, and physical media, such asmagnetic-storage media (e.g., hard disk drives and floppy disks),optical-storage media (e.g., CD- or DVD-ROMs), electronic-storage media(e.g., solid-state drives and flash media), and other distributionsystems.

The computer-readable medium containing the computer program may beloaded into computing system 510. All or a portion of the computerprogram stored on the computer-readable medium may then be stored insystem memory 516 and/or various portions of storage devices 532 and533. When executed by processor 514, a computer program loaded intocomputing system 510 may cause processor 514 to perform and/or be ameans for performing the functions of one or more of the exemplaryembodiments described and/or illustrated herein. Additionally oralternatively, one or more of the exemplary embodiments described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented in firmware and/or hardware. Forexample, computing system 510 may be configured as an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) adapted to implement one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary network architecture 600 inwhich client systems 610, 620, and 630 and servers 640 and 645 may becoupled to a network 650. Client systems 610, 620, and 630 generallyrepresent any type or form of computing device or system, such asexemplary computing system 510 in FIG. 5. In one example, client system610 may include system 100 from FIG. 1.

Similarly, servers 640 and 645 generally represent computing devices orsystems, such as application servers or database servers, configured toprovide various database services and/or run certain softwareapplications. Network 650 generally represents any telecommunication orcomputer network including, for example, an intranet, a wide areanetwork (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a personal area network(PAN), or the Internet.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, one or more storage devices 660(1)-(N) may bedirectly attached to server 640. Similarly, one or more storage devices670(1)-(N) may be directly attached to server 645. Storage devices660(1)-(N) and storage devices 670(1)-(N) generally represent any typeor form of storage device or medium capable of storing data and/or othercomputer-readable instructions. In certain embodiments, storage devices660(1)-(N) and storage devices 670(1)-(N) may represent network-attachedstorage (NAS) devices configured to communicate with servers 640 and 645using various protocols, such as NFS, SMB, or CIFS.

Servers 640 and 645 may also be connected to a storage area network(SAN) fabric 680. SAN fabric 680 generally represents any type or formof computer network or architecture capable of facilitatingcommunication between a plurality of storage devices. SAN fabric 680 mayfacilitate communication between servers 640 and 645 and a plurality ofstorage devices 690(1)-(N) and/or an intelligent storage array 695. SANfabric 680 may also facilitate, via network 650 and servers 640 and 645,communication between client systems 610, 620, and 630 and storagedevices 690(1)-(N) and/or intelligent storage array 695 in such a mannerthat devices 690(1)-(N) and array 695 appear as locally attached devicesto client systems 610, 620, and 630. As with storage devices 660(1)-(N)and storage devices 670(1)-(N), storage devices 690(1)-(N) andintelligent storage array 695 generally represent any type or form ofstorage device or medium capable of storing data and/or othercomputer-readable instructions.

In certain embodiments, and with reference to exemplary computing system510 of FIG. 5, a communication interface, such as communicationinterface 522 in FIG. 5, may be used to provide connectivity betweeneach client system 610, 620, and 630 and network 650. Client systems610, 620, and 630 may be able to access information on server 640 or 645using, for example, a web browser or other client software. Suchsoftware may allow client systems 610, 620, and 630 to access datahosted by server 640, server 645, storage devices 660(1)-(N), storagedevices 670(1)-(N), storage devices 690(1)-(N), or intelligent storagearray 695. Although FIG. 6 depicts the use of a network (such as theInternet) for exchanging data, the embodiments described and/orillustrated herein are not limited to the Internet or any particularnetwork-based environment.

In at least one embodiment, all or a portion of one or more of theexemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be encoded as a computerprogram and loaded onto and executed by server 640, server 645, storagedevices 660(1)-(N), storage devices 670(1)-(N), storage devices690(1)-(N), intelligent storage array 695, or any combination thereof.All or a portion of one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosedherein may also be encoded as a computer program, stored in server 640,run by server 645, and distributed to client systems 610, 620, and 630over network 650. Accordingly, network architecture 600 may performand/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination withother elements, one or more of the receiving, installing, swapping,rebooting, disabling, refraining, modifying, and/or uninstalling stepsdisclosed herein. Network architecture 600 may also be used to performand/or be a means for performing other steps and features set forth inthe instant disclosure.

As detailed above, computing system 510 and/or one or more components ofnetwork architecture 600 may perform and/or be a means for performing,either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more steps ofan exemplary method for updating a software product.

While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments usingspecific block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, each block diagramcomponent, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively,using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or anycombination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure ofcomponents contained within other components should be consideredexemplary in nature since many other architectures can be implemented toachieve the same functionality.

The process parameters and sequence of steps described and/orillustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied asdesired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or describedherein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps donot necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated ordiscussed. The various exemplary methods described and/or illustratedherein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustratedherein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

While various embodiments have been described and/or illustrated hereinin the context of fully functional computing systems, one or more ofthese exemplary embodiments may be distributed as a program product in avariety of forms, regardless of the particular type of computer-readablemedia used to actually carry out the distribution. The embodimentsdisclosed herein may also be implemented using software modules thatperform certain tasks. These software modules may include script, batch,or other executable files that may be stored on a computer-readablestorage medium or in a computing system. In some embodiments, thesesoftware modules may configure a computing system to perform one or moreof the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

In addition, one or more of the modules described herein may transformdata, physical devices, and/or representations of physical devices fromone form to another. For example, one or more of module 102 maytransform a first version of a software product into a second version ofthe software product.

The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled inthe art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein. This exemplary description is not intended to beexhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of the instant disclosure. The embodiments disclosedherein should be considered in all respects illustrative and notrestrictive. Reference should be made to the appended claims and theirequivalents in determining the scope of the instant disclosure.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in thespecification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least oneof.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having,”as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with andhave the same meaning as the word “comprising.”

1. A computer-implemented method for updating a software product, atleast a portion of the method being performed by a computing devicecomprising at least one processor, the method comprising: receiving arequest to install a second version of the software product over a firstversion of the software product; installing the second version of thesoftware product in a dormant state while the first version of thesoftware product is running by: automatically identifying one or morecomponents of the second version of the software product that do notaffect execution of the first version of the software product bydetermining that the first version of the software product is notutilizing components that correspond to the one or more components ofthe second version of the software product; installing the one or morecomponents of the second version of the software product that do notaffect execution of the first version of the security software product;and refraining from installing one or more components of the secondversion of the software product that would affect execution of the firstversion of the software product; swapping the first and second versionsof the software product by activating the second version of the softwareproduct and deactivating the first version of the software product. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein: the software product comprises asecurity software product.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein: the firstversion of the software product comprises a first version of anantivirus application; the second version of the software productcomprises a second version of the antivirus application.
 4. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: rebooting a computing system on whichthe first and second versions of the software product are installed,wherein the rebooting is performed after installing the second versionof the software product and before activating the second version of thesoftware product.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising disablinga network adapter of the computing system until the second version ofthe security software product is activated; wherein the second versionof the software product is activated during the rebooting process beforethe network adapter of the computing system is enabled.
 6. (canceled) 7.The method of claim 1, wherein installing the second version of thesoftware product comprises: installing one or more files of the secondversion of the software product; installing one or more components ofthe second version of the software product needed during a boot process.8. (canceled)
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein deactivating the firstversion of the software product comprises: modifying a state of one ormore components of the first version of the software product such thatthe one or more components of the first version of the software productwill not restart after a reboot of a computing system to which the firstversion of the software product is installed.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein: installing the second version of the software product comprisessaving one or more settings of the first version of the softwareproduct; swapping the first and second versions of the software productcomprises importing the one or more settings of the first version of thesoftware product into the second version of the software product. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein: installing the second version of thesoftware product comprises identifying a set of differences between thefirst version of the software product and the second version of thesoftware product; swapping the first and second versions of the softwareproduct comprises using the set of differences to update one or morecomponents of the first version of the software product for use with thesecond version of the software product.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein swapping the first and second versions of the software productcomprises: uninstalling the first version of the software product afterthe first version of the software product is deactivated and the secondversion of the software product is activated.
 13. The method of claim 1,tangibly embodied as computer-executable instructions on at least onenon-transitory computer-readable-storage medium.
 14. Acomputer-implemented method for updating a security software product, atleast a portion of the method being performed by a computing devicecomprising at least one processor, the method comprising: receiving arequest to install a second version of the security software productover a first version of the security software product; installing thesecond version of the security software product in a dormant state whilethe first version of the security software product is running by:automatically identifying one or more components of the second versionof the software product that do not affect execution of the firstversion of the software product by determining that the first version ofthe software product is not utilizing components that correspond to theone or more components of the second version of the software product;installing the one or more components of the second version of thesecurity software product that do not affect execution of the firstversion of the security software product; and refraining from installingone or more components of the second version of the security softwareproduct that would affect execution of the first version of the securitysoftware product if installed; rebooting a computing system on which thefirst and second versions of the security software product areinstalled; swapping the first and second versions of the securitysoftware product by activating the second version of the securitysoftware product and deactivating the first version of the securitysoftware product.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein installing thesecond version of the security software product comprises: installingone or more files of the second version of the security softwareproduct; installing one or more components of the second version of thesecurity software product needed during a boot process.
 16. The methodof claim 14, wherein deactivating the first version of the softwareproduct comprises: modifying a state of one or more components of thefirst version of the security software product such that the one or morecomponents will not restart after rebooting the computing system.
 17. Asystem comprising: at least one processor; an interface moduleprogrammed to direct the processor to receive a request to install asecond version of a software product over a first version of thesoftware product; an installation module programmed to direct theprocessor to install the second version of the software product in adormant state while the first version of the software product is runningby: automatically identifying one or more components of the secondversion of the software product that do not affect execution of thefirst version of the software product by determining that the firstversion of the software product is not utilizing components thatcorrespond to the one or more components of the second version of thesoftware product; installing the one or more components of the secondversion of the software product that do not affect execution of thefirst version of the security software product; and refraining frominstalling one or more components of the second version of the softwareproduct that would affect execution of the first version of the softwareproduct; a swapping module programmed to direct the processor to swapthe first and second versions of the software product by activating thesecond version of the software product and deactivating the firstversion of the software product.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein:the first version of the software product comprises a first version ofan antivirus application; the second version of the software productcomprises a second version of the antivirus application.
 19. The systemof claim 17, wherein the swapping module is programmed to direct theprocessor to deactivate the first version of the software product bymodifying a state of one or more components of the first version of thesoftware product such that the one or more components will not restartafter a reboot of a computing system on which the first and secondversions of the software product are installed.
 20. The system of claim17, wherein the installation module is programmed to direct theprocessor to install the second version of the software product by:installing one or more files of the second version of the softwareproduct; installing one or more components of the second version of thesoftware product needed during a boot process.
 21. The method of claim1, wherein the second version of the security software product isinstalled over the first version of the security software product in anover-installation process such that there is no down time betweendeactivating the first version of the security software product andactivating the second version of the security software product.
 22. Themethod of claim 11, wherein The method of claim 11, wherein using theset of differences to update the one or more components of the firstversion of the security software product for use with the second versionof the security software product comprises updating one or more registrykeys of the second version of the security software product by addingnew registry keys, deleting old registry keys, and/or modifying existingkeys.